OBJECTIVE: To characterize aspects of the examination correlating orofacial cleft type with the positioning of the tongue at rest and during swallowing, as well as their performance on the orofacial praxis in individuals with cleft lip and palate accompanied by a reference hospital for such affections. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using documental research in the medical records of cases of cleft lip and palate, all treated at the hospital. Of the 123 records selected, 34 were stratified data by presenting orofacial complete assessment. RESULTS: It was prevailed the incisor unilateral cleft lip (32.4%), there was a slight male predominance (55.9%) and the age group 6-10 years of age accounted for 9 cases (26.5%). The position of the tongue in the home appeared to be abnormal in most cases presented as well as in swallowing function. The limitation and asymmetry of the tongue in the performance of orofacial praxis is also expressed in most cases. CONCLUSION: No association was statistically significant when related to the classification of cracks with the posture of the tongue in swallowing, tongue posture and breathing in praxis, however, correlated the unilateral cleft lip and cleft-form post-foramen with the stance of tongue resting on the papilla palate, it showed a statistically significant (p 0.008).